Running Time: 101 Minutes
Certification: 18
Starring: Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, Taylour Paige, Julia Davis
Originally released in 1984, The Toxic Avenger is probably the best known work from Troma Entertainment, the longest running independent film studio. The successful first feature spawned a franchise, which included three sequels, an animated television series, and even a rock musical. Toxie now makes his way into the 2020's courtesy of a reboot, with Lloyd Kaufman succeeded in the director's chair by Macon Blair, who makes his sophomore feature following 2017's I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore.
Living in the town of St. Roma's - just one of many references to Troma Entertainment - is Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), a downtrodden janitor trying to support his son (Jacob Tremblay) in a worsening world. After discovering his insurance will not cover his medical issues, Winston resorts to desperate measures by robbing his corrupt boss (Kevin Bacon). However, the situation leads to a catastrophic accident which transforms Winston into a mutant vigilante intent on serving justice for the community at large.
For over a decade, superheroes have dominated cinema across different interconnected universes. There have been a few attempts to satirize or subvert genre tropes, such as in the Deadpool films, and Troma's toxic-waste hero is the latest to have a go. What helps this iteration stand apart is its anarchic sense of fun, heightened to match the world that is balancing on a knife's edge. Viewers are eased in with a common trope to poke fun at, the po-faced opening monologue, but that is soon one-upped with ease. A method of escaping from chains sticks in the memory, but very little tops the violent ways Toxie makes his heroism known, particularly involving a different way of ripping out intestines.
Serving as the emotional centre is Peter Dinklage, effectively bringing alive this man who just wants to ensure his son will be alright, regardless of whether Winston lives or not. He is shown with a good-natured view on life, but the circumstances of this increasingly brutal world leaves him hardened and struggling to hold onto that optimism. The source of his issues are clear, as the massive corporation that employs Winston refuses to help with his insurance, leading the toxic-irradiated janitor to lead a revolutionary charge.
The real-world parallels are evident, as the people's frustrations grow at their lives being considered less important than a corporation's profit margins. The world may be falling apart, but that does not stop BTH from prospering while ruling with an iron fist. Is it delivered in subtle ways? Far from it, but that does not diminish how fun it is to see an antagonistic Kevin Bacon having a ball, a creepy Elijah Wood inhabiting the screen, or a monster-core band doing the corporation's dirty work.
When the practical effects arrive on-screen, they are brilliant to behold, but one does wish that we had less CG work intruding upon their space. It is also notable how the story and emotional beats can feel rushed through, with one wishing there was more time to let these moments settle and their impact be felt. Although, it must be said that the offbeat tone can hinder things, as the constant attempts to make jokes leaves many misses as well as hits. Despite these issues, The Toxic Avenger bursts forth from a blood-splattered imagination to deliver a grisly time well-spent.
The Toxic Avenger is available in cinemas now
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